Expanding bracelet and the like.



E. & F. JONES.

EXPANDING BRACELET AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5. 1916.

1 ,1 98,925.. Patented Sept. 19, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

zflz fizesselsf .Zizveaifons 29a 72 71: fovzes E. 61 F. JONES.

EXPANDING BRACELET AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5.1916.

1,1 98,925. Patented Sept. 19, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2- mun|1111111111111 111 W N mr m-vms Psrzns cm swam-Lima. wAsmmnmv u. c.

ERNEST JONES AND FRANK JONES, 0F BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

EXPANDING BRACELET AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 19, 1916.

Application filed May 5, 1916. Serial No. 95,709.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that we, ERNnsT JoNEs and F RANK JoNns, trading as B. H. Jones and Sons, subjects of the King of Great Britain, residing at 114 Vyse street, Birmingham, England, manufacturing jewelers, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Expanding Bracelets and the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to expanding bracelets and other extensible and elastic chains or hands of the type in which compressible spiral springs are inclosed and concealed within hollow or box-like main or middle links; the said springs being interposed between the closed ends of the said middle links and transverse connecting pins or slides which are adapted to travel within longitudinal side-slots in the middle links, and are connected, at their outer ends, with the side-links of the chain, so that while the inclosed springs normally draw the middle and side links together, or maintain the chain in its contracted condition, they are capable of being compressed and closed by and between the transverse pins and the ends of the middle links to admit of the extension of the chain under a longitudinally-applied pull or force.

The principal object'of the present invention is to provide'an extensible and flexible chain for expanding bracelets and the like which, although constructed or made up of links of the usual or ordinary size, is capable of a greater or longer range of extension than is obtainable with any ordinary or known construction of the above-mentioned type, and this object we propose to attain mainly by the use or employment within each of the hollow or middle or spring-containing links, of a pair of compressible springs which are superimposed or arranged one above the other, and are connected with the said middle link and with its associated side-links or side-plates of the chain through the medium of slides which have their spring-abutment parts set forward or extended beyond the parts that travel in the side-sl0ts and thus afford accommodation, between the said sliding abutments and the closed ends of'ordinarysized links, for relatively long springs, whereby the total extensibility of the chain is correspondingly increased.

Another object of the invention is to obtain a perfectly smooth el stic action.

during the contraction and extension of the chain; this being attained by the provision, 1n connection with the inclosed springs, of means which positively secure or maintain the said springs in their prescribed positions in the middle links and also guide or direct the same (and the slides with which they, are respectively associated) during their contracting and expanding movements.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a plan of a length of extensible chain constructed in accordance with one formof our invention, and adapted for use in expanding bracelets or the like. This view shows the positions in which the middle and side links'of the chain are normally maintained by the inclosed or concealed springs. Fig. 2 is another plan of the said length of chain but shows the links in the positions they assume when the chain is fully extended. Fig. 3 is an enlarged scale view of a portion-of the chain, showing one of the middle-link elements in longitudinal section and illustrating the arrangement of the pair of springs and of the spring-compressing slides whereby the said middle link is pivotally connected with its complementary side-links. In this view, the various parts are drawn in the positions they assume when the springs are fully expanded 2'. 6. when the respective links are in the relative positions shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional'plan of Fig. 3. This view shows in horizontal section, the body or shell of the middle-link element and also the side-links to which the said element is connected, while the lower spring and its connecting slide are shown in plan, but only the pivot ends of the slide pertaining to the upper spring are drawn in full lines in this figure; the remainder of same being indicated by dotted lines.- Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but shows the positions which the several parts assume when the links are drawn apart as in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a sectional plan showing the links, springs and slides in the same positions as in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a cross section on the dotted line as of Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a cross section on the dotted line cc of Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a detail view showing one of the connecting slides separately and in plan, side and end elevation. Fig. '10 is a view illustrating the method whereby the springs are introduced into the shell of the middle link element nd fitted. upon their respective guides be 'ends of the link shell.

tween the connecting slides and the closed Fig. 11 is an elevation and a horizontal section of one of the side-link elements of the chain, showing how the pivot ends of the connecting slides are engaged therein. Fig. 12 shows a side elevation, end-view, longitudinal section and transverse section of the shell or body of one of the middle-link elements; the sectional views showing the" arrangement or disposltlonoi the fixed guides on which.

The sameletters-of reference indicate'conresponding parts in the several figures of the drawing.

The construction of extensible chain shown in the said figures comprises a series of hollow main or middle links a which are disposed end-to-end-- along the middle of the said chain, and two series of outer links or side-plates I), which are arranged respectively along the opposite sides of the said main links are connected up thereto in the manner represented. Each of the main links (4 contains a pair=of compressible spiral springs 0, (Z, that are respectively interposed between the closed ends (4 a. of the linkshell and longitudina lly-displaceable or slidable members g," h, which extend transversely through, and work within slots at, a in the opposite sides of, the said shell, and are each connected externallyavitli a pair of the sidelinks b; the arrangement being such that, when apull is applied to the chain, the transversely conn'ected pairs of side-links b and the slides are longitudinally displaced relatively to the main-links a, and the incl'osedsprings are correspondingl'y com-pressed between the ends of' the said links a. and the said slides, thus-admitting of the length-wise extension of the said chain.

In carrying out our invention'according to the best method known to us, the slots a a in the sides'of the main links are extended right up to the closed ends (63, a of the link shells a and the two springs 0,, (Z, inclosed in'each of-the said shells a: are ar ranged one above the other, and are-positively secured and retained in this relationship bya' pair of guide-wires" or runners e, f which are fixedlength-wise within the shell (preferably by soldering their respective extremities to the closed shellends a a") and/around which the springs are respectively coiledas shown in Figs. 3, 4: and 6. These springs are respectively links through the medium of the inclosed springs; the spring a surrounding the upper wire 6 of each main link being opera tively connected by the said slide 9 with the ends 12 b of one pair of oppositely disposed side-links I), while the spring d surrounding the lower wire is similarly operatively connected by the slide it with the .ends' 6 b of and adjacent pair of opposi'tely disposed side-links.

. The ends 9 of the slides g, h, are formed for pivotal connection to the respective ends Z2 Z2 and b 6 of the links I); and in order to provide accommodation within the middle links for the fitting of long springs which will admit of the move ment of the'ends g 71. of the slides to the extremities of the extended side-slots a a before the coils of the said springs become fully compressed against one another, the parts of the said slides that are inclosed within the middle links are cranked as shown in Fig. 9. That is to say,their spring-abutment portions 9 ,721 are set forward or ex tended a distance beyond the ends 9 71, that travel in the sideslots so that when the slides are mounted upon, and secured in the prescribed positions by, the guide wires, their cranked portions will (in the normal or contracted condition of the chain) overlap one another as shown in Fig. 3, and their springabutments 9 h will each lie some distance beyond the transverse center-line of the link. The cranked formation of the slides thus provides accommodation, between the moving spring abutments and the closed linked ends, for springs whose normal or extended length is appreciably in excess of the distance between the said link ends and the parts g 71. that work in the side-slots and correspondingly increases the range of extending movement of the said slides, so thatwhile the ends of the pairs of side plates 72 ,6 and Z2 b may be made to normally abut, by the expanding tendency -of-the spring, at themiddle of the sides of the main links (see Fig. 4) the slides can, on the chain being extended, be drawn back in the middle links until the pivots 9 ,71, come actually into engagement with theends'of the side-slots a a without the extending action of the chain being checked or stopped by the closing together of the spring coils (see Figs. 5 and 6).

Owing to the fact that the guide wires c, fare fix'e'drespectively above and-below the side-slots a a wherein the pivot ends of the sides work, the slides of the cranked abutment portions 9 h are bent or curved at 9 72 as shown in Figs. 3 and 9 to horizontally offset the centers of the abutment portions 9 h relatively to the pivots 9 if whereby the centers of the abutment portions may work along the guide-wires and the pivots g 71. may work within the sideslots during the extension and contraction of the chain.

To obviate any possibility of the abutment parts 9 k of the slides catching against one another during their movements along their respective guide-wires the eyes or apertures of said parts are made as small as possible consistent with strength, and one of the said wires (preferably the upper one) is bowed relatively to the other one as best shown in Fig. 5 so that the apertured part of the slide that works thereon is positively lifted well clear of the apertured part of the other slide at the moment when the said apertured parts are passing one another during the movements of the slides toward or away from the ends of the links.

The cranked parts of the slides are preferably of such dimensions that they practically occupy the whole internal width of the middle links, and are therefore incapable of side play or angular displacement in the lateral direction, while to provide for the connection of the side links so that the latter shall be capable of angular movement relative to the middle links, but shall be laterally inseparable therefrom once the chain has been assembled, the pivots 9 h are formed with terminal heads or enlargements g, k which are engaged and inclosed or confined within the ends of the hollow side-links (see Fig. 4:) but leave the said side-links free to pivot or turn about the parts 57 h as axes.

To enable the side-links to be assembled upon the headed pivots of the slides, the inner faces of the said links are formed with slots whose width corresponds to the diameter of the slide ends 9 72 and the middle of each slot has a gate or clearance b large enough to pass over the pivot head so that each hollow link can be engaged laterally with the slide end and then drawn along until the pivot head comes into the hollow extremity of the said link as shown in Fig. l. The heads, being of greater diameter than the width of the slots b prevent the lateral separation of the side-links and the said heads are normally urged against the ends of the said side-links by the thrust of the main-link springs against the slides, but to obviate any possibility of the side-links working along the pivots and becoming disconnected (which might occur when the links are in the relative angular potions), flexible stop-pieces such as j may be sprung or forced through the slots b into the interiors of the side-links, where they lie between the pivot heads and confine the latter within the ends of the links (see Fig. 4). 1

In a chain constructed as shown in the drawings, the whole of the parts or members of the middle-link elements (including the springs) are completely assembled before the said elements are connected up with the side-links; and preferably the following method is adopted for making up the said middle link units.

The body or shell of the middle link is formed of two sheet-metal halves or sections which each comprise one slotted side and a half of the top, the bottom and the two ends of the said body, and are adapted to be soldered together edge to edge to make up the'complete shell. The longitudinal piercings that constitute the side-slots a a are made in the respective sections before the latter are soldered together and the guide wires (on which the slides are strung) are also introduced into position, together with their respective slides, prior to the soldering up of the said sections so that the extremities of the said wires can be fixed to the ends of the shell at the same time that the sections are united. To make the two guides, we preferably fold a single length of wire into a staple form, the length of which exceeds the length of the link-shell. Then two slides (whose external pivot ends are not headed up until after the middlelink unit is completed) are threaded respec tively onto the legs of the said staple, after which the staple is laid between the two shell-sections so that the legs come respectively above and below the side slots, the pivot-ends of the slides are respectively engaged with the said side-slots, and the sections are brought together edge to edge and temporarily secured by binding wire or the like, after which the said edges are soldered up, and at the same time, or by the same soldering operation, the inclosed parts, of the staple are secured to the ends of the shell. Any parts of the staple that extend beyond the ends of the shell are next nipped and smoothed off, leaving the link member ready for the introduction of the springs.

The method of inserting the springs and engaging them respectively with the guide wires whereby they are fastened in their prescribed places in the link is clearly illustrated in Fig. 10. To provide for this, small holes z' are pierced in the op posite ends of the shell and the springs are respectively inserted through these holes and wound one upon the upper guide wire and the other upon the lower guide wire in the manner shown, so that when completely introduced, each spring occupies its proper place abutment eye of its cranked slide and a solid orunpierced part of the shell end. The holes 6 may, if desired, be closed with solder or th like after the springs are in position, although this is not essential since although the springs may be of relatively small diameter, the guide-wires effectually prevent them from working out of place.

The final operation in the making up of the middle-link elements is to form the external heads or enlargements on the pivot ends of the slides, and when this has been done, the said elements are ready for connection with the side-links in the manner previously described.

Although, in order to insure the flexibility of the chain, and to conceal the headed external ends of the slides, we prefer to pivotally and laterally connect the side and middle links by engaging said slide-heads (in the manner herein explained) with hollow side-links which are slotted in their inner faces, we wish it to be understood that we do not confine ourselves to this particula=r method, as we may, in some cases, rivet or otherwise fix the said external or later ally projecting ends of the slides to solid side-plates.

Having described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1, An extensible chain of the character set forth comprising a series of hollow main links, connecting links at each side of the main links, two springs arranged one above the other within each main link and a slide co-acting with each springand constituting a transverse connection between a pair of adjoining connecting links, each slide having a spring abutment portion which projects beyond the connected ends of-said slide and the side links, the said abutment portions projecting in relatively opposite directions and engaging relatively opposite ends of the respective springs.

2. An extensible chain of the character set forth com-prising a series of hollow main links having longitudinal slots in their opposite sides, connecting links at each side of the main links, two springs arranged one above the other within each main link and bearing, respectively, against the opposite ends of said main link, and a slide co-acting with each spring and having its ends extended through and slidable lengthwise of said slots and pivotally connected to a pair of adjoining connecting links, the slides having cranked central portions which project beyond the ends of the slides in relatively opposite directions and provide abutments for the inner ends of the respective springs.

3. An extensible chain of the character set forth comprising a series of hollow main links, connecting links at each side of the main links, two springs-arranged one above the-other within each'main link and bearing against the opposite ends ofsaidmaini link, and a slide? co-actin-g with each. spring andhaving its ends pivotally-connected to a pairof adjoining connecting links, the slides having cranked centralportions which project main links, two springs arranged'one' above the other'within each main link, guide wires for the respective springs secured within the main link and extending lengthwise. thereof, and a slide co-acting with each spring and constituting a transverse connection between a pair of adj oining'connecting links, each slide having a spring abutmentportion which projectsbeyond the connectedends-of said-slide and the side links, the said abutment portions projecting in 0pposi-te directions and engaging relatively opposite ends of the respective springs.

5. An extensible chain of the character set forthcom-prising a series of hollow main links,:;connecting linksat' each side of the main links, two springs arranged one above the other withinea'ch main link, a slide coacting with'ea'oh spring'a'nd constituting a transverse connection between a pair of adjoining connecting links, each slide having a spring abutment portion which projects beyond the connected'ends of said slide and the side links, the said abutment portions projecting in opposite directions and engagingrelatively opposite ends of the respective springs, and guide wires secured within each main link andextendin g lengthwise thereofand upon which the respective springs and abutment portions are mounted.

6. An extensible chain of the character set forth comprising a series of hollow main links'haw'ing longitudinal slots in their oppositesides, connecting links at each side of the main links, two springs arranged one above the other within each main link and bearing, respectively, against the opposite tudinally disposed guide: wires arranged within each main link above and below the slots in the sides thereof and upon which the said springs and cranked central portions of said slides are mounted.

7. An extensible chain of the character set forth comprising a series of hollow main links, hollow connecting links at each side of the main links and having longitudinal slots in their confronting sides, two springs arranged one above the other within each main link and a slide co-acting with each spring and constituting a transverse connection between a pair of adjoining connecting links, each slide having its ends extended through the slots of said connecting links and provided with terminal heads which are disposed within said connecting links and form pivotal connections between the same and said slides, each slide having a spring abutment portion which projects beyond the connected ends of said slide and-the side links, the said abutment portions projecting in relatively opposite directions and engaging relatively opposite ends of the respective springs.

8. An extensible chain of the character set forth comprising a series of hollow main links having longitudinal slots in their opposite sides, connecting links at .each side of the main links, two springs arranged one above the other within each main link and bearing, respectively, against the opposite ends of said main link, a slide co-acting with each spring and having its ends extended through and slidable lengthwise of said slots and pivotally connected to a pair of adjoining connecting links, the slides having cranked central portions which project beyond their ends in relatively opposite directions and provide abutments for the inner ends of the respective springs, and guide wires disposed longitudinally within each main link above and below the slots in the sides thereof and upon which the respective springs and cranked central portions of said slides are mounted.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ERNEST JONES. FRANK JONES. Witnesses:

ARTHUR SADLER, E. J.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

